Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Released: Unraveling the Magic of Note-worthy Upgrades—A Deep Dive

Despite the reality that the newly announced Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is the most expensive Redmi Note smartphone ever, priced at Rs 31,999 in India, there are some notable features that I love. The smartphone has a modern and vibrant design, with a 3D curved display and vegan leather back. Notably, it supports 120W charging, and a charger with the same output is included in the package, capable of charging the smartphone completely in under 30 minutes. Furthermore, the phone is guaranteed to receive three years of Android upgrades, which is an impressive feature given its price.

Other appealing features of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ include an enhanced 200MP primary camera with OIS (optical image stabilization), MediaTek's 4nm-based Dimensity 7200 Ultra SoC, an IP68 dust and water resistant certification, up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 512GB UFS 3.1 storage.

However, it is critical to recognize that this is the most costly Redmi Note phone to date, which cannot be overlooked. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+'s higher pricing puts it up against serious competitors in the class, including as the OnePlus Nord 3, Motorola Edge 40, and even the more expensive Google Pixel 7a. In light of these factors, is it a gadget worth considering? Here's my thorough assessment after spending a lot of time with it.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ enters flagship territory by providing premium features such as Corning Gorilla Glass Victus and a huge 512GB storage option, all for less than Rs 36,000. The clever design changes and camera upgrades make the gadget stand out. Despite the admirable commitment to three years of Android OS upgrades, there is space for improvement in the entire user experience. The absence of native generative AI features, which are frequently found deficient in phones in this sector, is highly expected. Addressing price competition might have increased its popularity.

Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Specs and Price

Redmi Note 13 Pro+
Brand	Redmi Note 13 Pro+
Display/td>	6.67 inches
Display Type	AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak)
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frame
OS	Android 13, MIUI 14
Processor	Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra (4 nm)
Memory & RAM	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Camera	Triple, 200 MP+8 MP+2 MP
Battery	5000mAh
Price	12GB+512GB: ₹35,999 12GB+256GB: ₹33,999   8GB+256GB: ₹31,999

Display and Design

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ comes in three eye-catching colors. For those who like modest elegance, the options include the solid colors Fusion Black and Fusion White. I'm now reviewing the latest Fusion Purple model, which features a combination of blue, green, and white tones around the camera region. This distinct and subtle touch completely suits my preferences.

The leather back fits the simple color scheme, although it may be difficult to clean and maintain with time. Xiaomi generously provided a replacement black case in the packaging to remedy this issue. The case not only provides a protective barrier, but it also gives a hint of thickness to the otherwise elegant design. I believe this cover to be substantially more aesthetically pleasant than the normal clear cases that many Android smartphones in India come with.

In general, the leather back and curved display (a first for a Redmi Note phone) create a luxury appearance and feel. However, this innovation comes at the price of the lack of a headphone jack. Other ports and buttons, including as the SIM tray and power button, which are situated on the sides, top, and bottom, follow a typical configuration. The addition of an in-display fingerprint reader, which is pretty responsive when fingers are clean and dry, enhances the contemporary appeal.

As previously said, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has an outstanding IP68 rating, indicating increased dust and water resistance—a notable feature of this smartphone. Furthermore, the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection for the display makes it the best option for individuals who value extra durability.

Turning our focus to the screen, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+'s 6.67-inch AMOLED display provides a sharp viewing experience with a 1.5K resolution (2,712 x 1,220 pixels) and an amazing peak brightness of 1800 nits. The addition of HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support improves the entire viewing experience, resulting in an immersive visual treat. Xiaomi is following industry trends by using a high PWM dimming rate of up to 1,920Hz to efficiently decrease screen flutter. Additionally, the display has a 120Hz refresh rate, which ensures smooth gameplay and scrolling.

To offer a more thorough picture, I compared the displays of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, OnePlus Nord 3, and Redmi Note 12 Pro+. The changes were modest, with the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ exhibiting somewhat improved brightness and the Note 13 Pro+ displaying punchier color representation. Notably, material on sites such as Netflix looked to perform better on the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ than on the other two devices.

In terms of display performance, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ does not revolutionize the market, since most competitors have improved their display capabilities over time. Nonetheless, the introduction of Corning Glass Victus is a notable addition, and the smartphone benefits from current software-driven features like Reading Mode, AOD (always on display), and variable refresh rates—all of which I like about Redmi phones.

Performance and Software

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ sets a favorable trend in smartphone memory configurations as we enter 2024. The entry-level model now has 256GB of storage. The premium variant, priced at Rs 35,999, takes a step further, with 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage and 12GB of LPPDR5 RAM. The edition under examination, which has 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, costs Rs 33,999.

In my testing, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ delivered constant performance, with no instances of unexpected program crashes or overheating. While there were occasional delays in launching some programs or tiny stutters while shifting between applications, these concerns were modest. One possible worry is the existence of multiple pre-installed programs, which contribute to a crowded software experience. Another important concern is Xiaomi's delayed release of the Android 14 upgrade for its mid-range devices, which requires immediate action.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ will receive three years of Android upgrades, followed by the impending HyperOS Android overlay. The smartphone also supports NFC for frictionless digital payments and contains the famous IR blaster, which allows users to operate household gadgets such as air conditioners and televisions from their smartphones. With an Airtel 5G Plus SIM card, I was able to get internet speeds of over 200Mbps at my residence in Delhi, however speeds may vary depending on coverage.

In terms of benchmark performance, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra SoC, scores well in Geekbench 6 and AnTuTu. It exceeds its predecessor, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, but lags behind the OnePlus Nord 3, which has the Dimensity 9000 SoC, at least numerically.

In a real-world comparison of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and the OnePlus Nord 3, both phones perform wonderfully. Notably, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ offers speedier boot speeds and app launches in some circumstances. However, when it comes to gaming performance, the Nord 3 has a little advantage. Overall, MIUI offers a more feature-rich experience than OxygenOS, despite the inclusion of pre-installed apps. Ultimately, the choice between the two may come down to personal preference, with the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ providing much more storage at a comparable price range to the Nord 3.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ comes with a 5,000mAh battery and enables quick 120W charging. Using the provided charger, the phone obtains a full charge in around 30 minutes, displaying an amazing charging speed. This is remarkable, especially when compared to flagship models from Google, Apple, and Samsung, which normally provide charging rates capped to 30W or 45W. Furthermore, the battery backup of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is outstanding.

Using the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ with balanced settings, such as 120Hz refresh rate, AOD (always-on display), and occasional 5G (with intermittent Wi-Fi use), I was able to go through the full day on a single charge. It's worth mentioning that setting performance mode may necessitate another round of charging, although this should be simple with the provided 120W charger.

Camera

Although Xiaomi's mid-range phones still lack a Leica relationship, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ distinguishes itself with an enhanced 200MP main camera. The gadget now uses the ISOCELL HP3 sensor, which is an upgrade over the prior ISOCELL HPX sensor. This upgrade enables the camera to catch better details and more light. Notably, while using the 200MP option, zoomed-in photographs show more clarity, less noise, and improved text visibility from a distance. It's worth noting that using this high-resolution setting increases file size.

In regular mode, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ beats both its predecessor, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, and several of its immediate competitors. Color balance, noise reduction, and dynamic range all show significant improvements across a variety of lighting situations.

Under strong lighting, the phone adequately balances colors, although occasional overexposed patches may be seen, and the OS struggles to tone them down. Saturation levels can be slightly excessive at times, although they often contribute to the overall visual attractiveness. Portrait photographs have a realistic appearance with outstanding edge detection. Videos shot with the primary camera may be up to 4K30fps, and stabilization has significantly improved over the Redmi Note 12 Pro+.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+'s 8MP ultra-wide camera displays substantial improvements, albeit the details may not be as polished. During testing, numerous photographs featured strong contrast, which increased the dramatic effect of shadows but might obscure background features. The 2MP camera continues to operate poorly, failing to recognize the subject in both well-lit and low-light circumstances. Color consistency concerns may become evident when comparing findings with the other two camera sensors in low-light conditions.

The front camera of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ performs well, albeit it may produce variable results in low-light circumstances. The better skin tone recognition is a nice feature that adds to overall satisfaction with the front camera's capabilities.

Conclusion

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ distinguishes out as a very capable smartphone in its class, delivering on its promises of a brilliant display, fast charging, and usually consistent camera performance. While it may not have the most raw power (that honor goes to the OnePlus Nord 3 and iQOO Neo 7 Pro), it does have premium features like 120W quick charging, an IP68 rating, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and NFC. These features add to its standing as a cost-effective mid-premium alternative worth considering.

That being said, Xiaomi should prioritize improving the software experience, seeking to simplify MIUI (or HyperOS in the future) and maybe minimize the amount of pre-installed apps. While camera performance is impressive, improving the software can lead to more consistent outcomes.